Apple Watch Series 4: Launch Date & Specs

Yes, the Apple Watch Series 4 was launched on September 12, 2018, and went on sale on September 21, 2018. It was announced at the Apple Special Event alongside the iPhone XS and XS Max, and it introduced a major redesign with a larger display, thinner body, and new health features like fall detection and an ECG app.

Announcement and Release Timeline

The Series 4 was unveiled at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino on September 12, 2018. Pre-orders began on September 14, and the watch hit stores on September 21. It shipped with watchOS 5, which brought features like Walkie-Talkie, automatic workout detection, and improved notifications.

Apple continued selling the Series 4 until September 2019, when it was replaced by the Series 5. During its year on the market, it was available in 40mm and 44mm case sizes, with aluminum, stainless steel, and ceramic (Edition) options. The aluminum model came in silver, gold, and space gray; stainless steel came in polished, space black, and gold.

Key Upgrades Over Series 3

The Series 4 was the biggest redesign since the original Apple Watch. The display grew by over 30% while the case stayed nearly the same size. The 40mm model has a 324×394 resolution, and the 44mm has a 368×448 resolution. Apple achieved this by shrinking the bezels and rounding the corners of the screen.

Under the hood, the S4 chip was Apple’s first 64-bit dual-core processor in a watch, making it up to twice as fast as the S3. The watch also gained a new haptic feedback engine (the Taptic Engine was redesigned to be smaller) and a new speaker that was 50% louder. The microphone was moved to the opposite side to improve call quality.

Health and Safety Features

The Series 4 introduced two major health features that were firsts for Apple Watch:

• Fall Detection: An accelerometer and gyroscope can detect a hard fall. If you don’t move for about a minute, it automatically calls emergency services and notifies your emergency contacts.
• ECG App: The electrical heart sensor can take a single-lead electrocardiogram. It can detect atrial fibrillation (AFib) and generate a PDF you can share with your doctor. The ECG app received FDA clearance in the U.S.

The rear sensor array was redesigned with a sapphire crystal and ceramic back, and it also measures heart rate with higher precision. The watch is water resistant to 50 meters (suitable for swimming in a pool or ocean, but not for diving).

Design and Display

The Series 4 has a noticeably thinner case (10.7mm vs 11.4mm on Series 3) and a larger display that curves into the corners. The interface was updated to take advantage of the extra space, with more complications, a larger watch face, and a new “infograph” face that can hold up to eight complications.

The Digital Crown got haptic feedback, so it feels like a mechanical click when you scroll. The side button was moved slightly lower, and the speaker grille was moved to the opposite side of the crown to improve audio.

Battery Life and Charging

Apple rated the Series 4 for up to 18 hours of mixed use, which is the same as previous models. In practice, most users get a full day and a half with moderate use. Charging uses the same magnetic puck as earlier models, but the charging time was slightly reduced due to the more efficient chip. A 0-80% charge takes about 1.5 hours, and a full charge takes about 2 hours.

Battery life can vary significantly depending on usage. Always-on heart rate monitoring, GPS workouts, and LTE calls drain the battery faster. In low-power mode (which disables many features), the watch can last up to 48 hours.

Common Questions and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the Series 4 is still sold by Apple. It isn’t; it was discontinued in 2019. However, you can still find it on the used/refurbished market. Another misconception is that the ECG app works everywhere. It was initially only available in the U.S., and later rolled out to other countries after regulatory approvals. In regions where it’s not available, the app simply doesn’t appear.

Another frequent question is whether the Series 4 is compatible with newer watchOS versions. It supports watchOS 5 through watchOS 10 (the last version it received). It does not support watchOS 11, which requires a Series 6 or later. That means it won’t get new features like the Vitals app or the new Smart Stack from watchOS 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Apple Watch Series 4 come out?

The Apple Watch Series 4 was announced on September 12, 2018, and released on September 21, 2018. Pre-orders started on September 14.

Does the Series 4 have an ECG?

Yes, the Series 4 was the first Apple Watch to feature an ECG app. It can record a single-lead electrocardiogram and check for atrial fibrillation. It requires the watch to be on your wrist and your finger on the Digital Crown for 30 seconds.

Is the Apple Watch Series 4 still supported?

Apple still supports it with watchOS updates up to watchOS 10, which was released in 2023. It will not receive watchOS 11, which requires a Series 6 or later. Basic functionality and security updates may still be provided for a while, but new features will not be added.

What is the difference between Series 4 and Series 5?

The Series 5 added an always-on Retina display, a compass, and a built-in noise app. It also had a slightly larger storage capacity (32GB vs 16GB). The design and processor are essentially the same (the S5 chip is a variant of the S4 with a compass).

Can I swim with the Apple Watch Series 4?

Yes, the Series 4 is water resistant to 50 meters according to ISO 22810:2010. It is suitable for swimming in a pool or ocean, but not for scuba diving or high-speed water sports.

How long does the battery last on the Series 4?

Apple rates it for 18 hours of mixed use. In real-world usage, most people get about a day and a half with moderate use. Heavy GPS or LTE usage can reduce it to under a day.

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